Associate Art Director - Photo & Video

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📌 Core Information

Job Title: Associate Art Director - Photo & Video

Company: Cotopaxi

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Category: Creative - Art & Design

Date Posted: July 28, 2025

Experience Level: Senior-Level

Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid: 3 days/week)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading the visual direction for Cotopaxi's photography and future video production.
• Collaborating closely with the Lead Photographer and Junior Producer to bring seasonal campaigns and evergreen content to life.
• Working with the VP of Creative Design, Associate Art Director of Integrated Campaigns, and Creative Services Manager to maintain and elevate Cotopaxi's visual standards across all channels.
• Shaping campaign concepts and influencing Cotopaxi's evolving approach to in-house video.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong visual taste, love for production, and the ability to create high-impact work with scrappy, resourceful energy.

📋 Key Responsibilities

Photography Direction:

• Lead the conceptual and visual direction for all Cotopaxi photography, including ecommerce, lifestyle, product, and paid media content.
• Art direct studio and on-location shoots 3-4 days a week in close collaboration with the Lead Photographer and Junior Producer.
• Translate seasonal narratives into bold, story-driven imagery that captures attention and reflects Cotopaxi's unique identity.
• Collaborate with fellow creatives to shape visual concepts for seasonal campaigns and performance media.
• Translate briefs into actionable creative plans, crafting shot lists, mood boards, and styling direction to guide each production.
• Lead styling, casting, and creative direction on shoots, ensuring cultural relevance and alignment with current visual and fashion trends.
• Scout and select locations that enhance storytelling and embody the Cotopaxi spirit.
• Oversee the editing, retouching, and selection process to maintain a high standard of quality, consistency, and brand alignment across all visual assets.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio showcasing lifestyle and/or eCommerce photography direction and experience working with direct-to-consumer, outdoor, or mission-driven brands.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Photography, Art Direction, Visual Communication, or a related field (preferred)

Experience: 8+ years of experience in art direction, commercial photography, or visual content creation

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in art directing photo shoots, with a strong portfolio showcasing lifestyle and/or eCommerce photography direction.
• Experience working with direct-to-consumer, outdoor, or mission-driven brands (preferred).
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, Capture One, and Lightroom.
• Strong understanding of the full photo production process, from mood board to post-production.
• Confident and experienced leading photo shoots from concept through final asset delivery, both in studio and on location.
• Skilled in managing photo production teams, including stylists, photographers, producers, and talent.
• Familiarity with video production workflows and excitement to help shape Cotopaxi's in-house video capabilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in video production or a related field.
• Fluency in Spanish (or another relevant language).

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of Cotopaxi's brand identity and be passionate about its mission to Do Good.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $100,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits with HSA, FSA, and DCSA options.
• Company paid basic life insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage.
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Voluntary accident and critical illness insurance.
• Company paid employee assistance program.
• Company paid mental health benefits.
• Company paid volunteer time.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Unlimited responsible PTO.
• Two company-wide days off to recharge, reconnect, and embrace what inspires you (In The Wild Days).

ASSUMPTION: Cotopaxi prioritizes wages and benefits and always keeps the employee experience in mind to create a quality work-life balance for everyone.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail - Outdoor & Adventure

Company Size: 201-500 employees

Founded: 2014

Company Description:

• Cotopaxi creates outdoor products, apparel, and experiences that help alleviate poverty, move people to do good, and inspire adventure.
• The company's social impact strategy focuses on global poverty alleviation, and it employs responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices throughout its supply chains.

Company Specialties:

• Sustainable and ethical business practices.
• Global poverty alleviation initiatives.
• High-quality outdoor gear and apparel.

Company Website: www.cotopaxi.com

ASSUMPTION: Cotopaxi is a certified B Corporation that prioritizes people, innovation, and adventure in everything it does.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior-Level

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the VP of Creative Design and collaborates closely with the Associate Art Director of Integrated Campaigns and the Creative Services Manager.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days a week on-site at the Cotopaxi headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the option to work remotely 2 days a week.

Growth Opportunities:

• Managing and mentoring a resourceful, high-performing team, including a Lead Photographer and Junior Producer, as the team expands.
• Fostering a photo team culture that values creativity, inclusivity, experimentation, and continuous growth.
• Collaborating with the VP of Creative Design to shape the future of Cotopaxi's in-house video strategy, helping define tone, direction, and creative process.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for growth and impact within Cotopaxi's creative team.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Cotopaxi's headquarters is a vibrant, collaborative workspace with a casual dress code and a focus on employee well-being.

Office Location(s): 74 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101, US

Geographic Context:

• Salt Lake City, Utah, is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.
• The city offers a high quality of life with a relatively low cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours with flexible scheduling options to accommodate team members' needs.

ASSUMPTION: Cotopaxi's work environment encourages a healthy work-life balance and supports employees' personal and professional growth.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager.
• In-depth portfolio review and creative challenge.
• On-site interview with the creative team, including the VP of Creative Design and the Associate Art Director of Integrated Campaigns.
• Final interview with the VP of Creative Design.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Candidates' understanding of Cotopaxi's brand identity and mission.
• Portfolio quality and relevance to the role.
• Candidates' ability to articulate their creative vision and process.
• Candidates' problem-solving skills and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
• Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your photography direction skills, with a focus on lifestyle and/or eCommerce photography.
• Be ready to discuss your creative process, inspirations, and how you approach art directing photo shoots.
• Research Cotopaxi's brand, mission, and values to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the company.

ATS Keywords: Art Direction, Photography, Visual Content Creation, Ecommerce Photography, Lifestyle Photography, Brand Identity, Creative Direction, Team Management, Production Management, Adobe Creative Suite, Capture One, Lightroom, Video Production, Mission-Driven Brand, Direct-to-Consumer Brand

ASSUMPTION: Cotopaxi's interview process is designed to assess candidates' creative skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Capture One
• Lightroom
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Slack
• Asana
• Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred, but Cotopaxi is willing to provide training and support to help employees develop the necessary skills.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Do Good: Cotopaxi prioritizes positive social, environmental, and economic impact in all its operations.
• Innovate: The company encourages creativity, experimentation, and continuous learning.
• Adventure: Cotopaxi fosters a culture of exploration, curiosity, and fun.

Work Style:

• Collaborative: Cotopaxi values teamwork, open communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Adaptable: The company embraces change and encourages employees to be flexible and resourceful.
• Mission-Driven: Cotopaxi's team members are passionate about the company's mission to Do Good and inspire adventure.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with Cotopaxi's company values, particularly 'Do Good'?
• Describe a time when you had to adapt to significant change in a professional setting. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
• How do you approach creative collaboration with team members who have different expertise and perspectives?

ASSUMPTION: Cotopaxi's culture is inclusive, dynamic, and focused on empowering employees to make a positive impact.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires managing multiple projects simultaneously, which can be challenging at times.
• Cotopaxi's fast-paced environment may necessitate working outside of standard business hours occasionally.
• The role involves frequent collaboration with various teams, which can require strong communication and project management skills.
• The company's commitment to sustainability and social impact may present unique challenges in sourcing materials and managing supply chains.

ASSUMPTION: Cotopaxi provides the resources and support necessary for employees to overcome these challenges and succeed in their roles.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on photography and video production within a mission-driven, outdoor retail company.
• Unlike traditional advertising agencies or in-house creative teams, Cotopaxi's creative department works closely with the company's social impact initiatives.
• This role offers the opportunity to shape Cotopaxi's visual identity and contribute to its overall mission to Do Good.

ASSUMPTION: This role is ideal for candidates who are passionate about Cotopaxi's mission and eager to make a meaningful impact through their creative work.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive visual strategy for Cotopaxi's ecommerce platform, including product shots, lifestyle imagery, and promotional content.
• Art directing a seasonal campaign shoot that showcases Cotopaxi's commitment to sustainability and social impact, featuring diverse talent and unique locations.
• Collaborating with the marketing team to create visually compelling content for Cotopaxi's social media channels, driving engagement and brand awareness.

ASSUMPTION: Cotopaxi's creative team works on a wide range of projects, offering diverse opportunities for growth and learning.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does Cotopaxi's commitment to sustainability and social impact influence the creative process for this role?
• Can you describe a time when you had to balance multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities? How did you manage your workload and ensure the quality of your work?
• How do you approach collaborating with team members from different departments to ensure that creative projects align with the company's overall goals and brand identity?
• How do you stay current with visual trends and ensure that Cotopaxi's visual content remains fresh, relevant, and on-brand?
• What steps do you take to ensure that Cotopaxi's visual content is inclusive and representative of the diverse communities the brand serves?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates demonstrate their understanding of Cotopaxi's unique culture and the specific requirements of this role.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: Cotopaxi Job Application
• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
• Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your photography direction skills, with a focus on lifestyle and/or eCommerce photography.
• Research Cotopaxi's brand, mission, and values to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the company.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.